An Uptick in Severe Weather

 

Photo Credit: Emi Marinari

March is typically when the weather across the central and southern United States starts to warm up and become more spring-like.  The uptick in severe weather during March is noteworthy following the quieter fall and winter months when severe weather outbreaks are few and far between. 

As accurate as weather warnings have become, if people are sleeping or don’t get the latest weather information, then that’s a recipe for disaster.  While smartphone technology has greatly improved the ability to relay the latest critical weather news to the public, it isn’t 100% effective yet.

There are very specific criteria that make a thunderstorm “severe,” including the presence of any of the following: wind gusts of at least 58 mph, hail 1”/+ in diameter, or a tornado.  There have been some notable March severe weather outbreaks in recent years:

2020: There was a severe weather outbreak March 1 from Missouri to Tennessee.  Lots of large hail was reported with sightings of 2” to 3” in diameter.  A series of tornadoes occurred late in the evening of March 1 and continued into the early morning hours of March 2, primarily in Tennessee.  According to NOAA, there were a total of 18 tornadoes that caused 29 fatalities.  The strongest tornado that touched down was an EF-4 in Putnam County, Tennessee, with winds between 166 mph and 200 mph.

2018: A total of 28 confirmed tornadoes developed across the southeastern United States on March 19.  Fortunately, no fatalities were reported.  This is the favored area for severe weather during March since atmospheric conditions are often the most conducive in this part of the country.

2011:  The Mid-Atlantic Region saw multiple severe thunderstorms on March 10.  Two tornadoes touched down in northern Virginia along with dozens of severe wind gusts from Virginia to North Carolina.  Fortunately, there were no fatalities and damage was minor.

2009: The severe weather that occurred on March 29 was noteworthy for where it occurred.  There were dozens of reports of severe hail from Maryland to Connecticut.  A confirmed EF-1 tornado occurred near the town of Lititz in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  It had winds between 86 mph and 110 mph during its 1.25 mile long track and three injuries were reported.  Fortunately, there were no fatalities.